Relaxation of Current Hand Luggage Restrictions

[pollensa]

The Department for Transport has today announced changes to the UK's aviation security measures, notably increases to the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft. The changes will take effect from Friday 22 September 2006.

All passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and those transferring from international flights at a UK airport will be required to meet the following requirements:

Cabin Baggage
ONE item only of cabin baggage will be permitted through the airport security search point, the dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.). Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened.

Mobility aids
No change. Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be screened.

Liquids
No change. Restrictions remain in force, meaning that no liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:

Essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as it is verified as authentic. Medicines in solid form continue to be permitted.
Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).
To help their progress through search points, passengers are advised not to include items capable of containing liquids (e.g. bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc.) in their cabin baggage.

NOTE: The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.

Large electrical items / Laptops
No change. Laptops and other large electrical items (e.g. a large hairdryer) will still have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately. (Note: a laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin).

Musical instruments
Musical instruments which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size (maximum length of 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.)) will be allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, and will need to be screened. Larger instruments (e.g. cellos) are also permitted into the cabin following screening. However, passengers should check with their airlines if special arrangements (e.g. purchasing an extra seat) for these large instruments need to be made.

Oversized baggage
All other items of oversized luggage will be required to be placed in the aircraft hold.

 

[Debilicious]

I have just received a letter from easyjet, as have a flight booked...this is copy of it

Changes to hand baggage restrictions

Please note that hand baggage restrictions at all UK airports have
been changed following a UK Government announcement. Hand baggage of
all travellers flying with easyJet out of a UK airport must adhere to
the following rules:

• One piece of hand baggage only, with maximum dimensions:
55x40x20cm (including wheels, handles, straps etc).

• A laptop bag constitutes one piece of hand baggage – passengers
with a laptop bag will not be permitted to carry on any other
bags. All laptops will be taken out of their cases and scanned
individually at security.

• No liquids are permitted through the airport security search
point. The definition of liquids is broad and includes
toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant,
shaving foam, and aerosols. The only exceptions to this are:

o Essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and
essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as
they are verified as authentic. Medicines in solid form
continue to be permitted.

o Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each
bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying
passenger).

• Musical instruments are allowed in the aircraft cabin, provided
that their cases contain only the instrument itself and no other
items.

easyJet check-in desks open two hours prior to the scheduled time of
departure of your flight and close promptly 40 minutes prior. Please
ensure that you leave plenty of time to check in and clear security as
there will continue to be stringent security checks at all UK
airports.

To speed up the search and security process after check-in, passengers
are requested not to carry with them in their hand baggage containers
that could possibly hold liquids, such as bottles, flasks, tubes,
cans, plastic containers, etc.